Care advice from the pros at Cotty’s Cleaners

Summer brings sunshine, patios, and vacation getaways — but it also brings sweat, sunscreen stains, and fabric fatigue. With the change in weather (and wardrobe), your laundry routine should shift too.

At Cotty’s, we handle hundreds of garments a week and see firsthand how summer impacts everything from your whites to your workout gear. Here are our top expert tips to help you extend the life of your clothes this season — and keep everything looking (and smelling) fresh.

1. Rinse Before You Wash

Chlorine and salt water are tough on fabrics. If you’ve been swimming, rinse your swimsuits and towels with cool water before tossing them in the machine — this prevents fading, fabric damage, and that crunchy post-beach feel

2. Treat Sunscreen Stains Promptly

Sunscreen and heat-reactive fabrics don’t mix well. That yellowing around collars and straps? That’s often caused by avobenzone (a common sunscreen ingredient) bonding with minerals in water. To prevent stains:

• Rinse garments with cold water as soon as possible

• Pre-treat with a gentle stain remover

• Avoid bleach — it can set the stain instead of removing it

Or let our pros handle it — Cotty’s stain treatment is targeted, fabric-safe, and designed to restore your clothes without damage.

3. Don’t Over-Dry Your Summer Fabrics

Lightweight linens, cottons, and synthetics can lose shape and soften too much if exposed to high dryer heat. Line-dry when you can, or choose a low tumble setting to keep textures crisp and breathable.

4. Rotate & Rest Your Shirts

Summer heat can make dress shirts feel like a workout. Give them a break between wears to allow fabric fibers to relax. This reduces long-term stress on the weave and helps your shirts maintain shape and color longer. Bonus tip: ask us about folding services for travel — perfectly pressed shirts, ready to go.

5. Take Advantage of Professional Cleaning

Not all summer messes can be handled at home — especially when it comes to delicate whites, performance fabrics, or those dress shirts you really don’t want to iron. Cotty’s uses:

• Premium eco-friendly detergents

• Robotic pressing for perfect finishes

• Detailed garment inspection (we even replace buttons, free of charge)

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Final Thought

Your summer wardrobe deserves the same care you put into your plans. A little expert attention can go a long way in keeping fabrics fresh, whites bright, and styles sharp — all season long.

Have a tricky stain or favorite piece that needs rescuing?
Bring it in — we’ll take it from here. ✨